Everybody goes through stress now and again. When it begins to take hold of your life and linger over you each day, it is time to address it. Whether you are stressed about work, a relationship, or your finances, there are ways to manage it healthily and help your mind relax.
Some common signs of stress include teeth grinding, sleep problems, stomach issues, and increased muscle tension (especially in the neck). If you are experiencing these symptoms, then here are six tips for gaining back control.
1: Write Your Stressors Down
The first step towards managing your stress is knowing where it comes from. Think about when you feel the most overwhelmed and write down the reasons for feeling that way. By writing them down, you will feel more in control of them and gain some perspective. It could also lead to an exercise where you can write about your problems and then write a solution.
2: Take a Break
You should take a break from whatever is stressing you out. This might not be a long-term plan, but in the short term, giving yourself a breather can let you get back on top once you return. This can mean having a break from social media, taking a few days off work, or not speaking to someone for a short amount of time. This way, when you go back, you’ll feel much better about dealing with the situation. After all, you deserve some you time!
3: Exercise Regularly
Exercising is a great way of reducing stress and promoting positive thinking. Not only will you feel more self-confident, but the happy hormones that are promoted during exercise will also help eliminate your worries. Get your stresses out by working hard at the gym, powering through a run, or hitting the pool.
4: Avoid Alcohol
Many people turn to the bottle when they are over-stressed, but this will only make the problems worse. While it might eliminate your negative feelings for a short while, the next day, when a hangover is pounding on your head, your stress will only increase. If you find that you are turning to alcohol when you’re stressed, then you might be reliant, and alcohol addiction treatment is an option for that. It’s better to stop the spiral of alcohol dependence as early as possible.
5: Gain Perspective
Sometimes, what’s making us stressed isn’t that big of a deal in the long run. Think about what is stressing you out and imagine if it will still affect your life in a year, five years, or even ten years from now. Usually, what stresses people out are short-term problems. Work on understanding that not everything is in your control and that worrying about potential outcomes isn’t going to make anything better.
6: Talk with Friends
Having a long chat with your friends is one of the most effective stress relievers. Schedule a lunchtime buddy date, get the coffee in, and air out all your worries and stresses. By the end of the conversation, you’ll probably have found more to laugh about than anything. Even if your stresses are significant, getting them out there will make them feel more tangible and manageable.
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